You probably know Kendrick "Big Perk" Perkins as the loud, opinionated, and often hilarious ESPN analyst who isn't afraid to hurt some feelings. But behind the scenes of those heated First Take debates, there is a whole other side to his life that most fans only see in snippets on social media. People often ask, who is Kendrick Perkins wife, expecting a typical celebrity story, but the truth is a lot more grounded than you’d think.
Vanity Alpough (now Vanity Perkins) has been the anchor in Kendrick’s life since long before he was hoisting a Larry O'Brien trophy with the Boston Celtics or getting into Twitter spats with Kevin Durant. They aren't just another NBA couple; they are actual high school sweethearts from Texas who survived the meat grinder of a 16-year professional basketball career.
The High School Sweethearts from Port Arthur
Life for Vanity and Kendrick didn't start in a mansion or on a TV set. It started in Beaumont, Texas. Depending on who you ask, they met in either the 10th or 11th grade. Kendrick swears it was 10th; Vanity remembers it being 11th. Honestly, when you've been together for over two decades, those details get a little blurry.
Vanity was born in July 1985 in Port Arthur, Texas. She attended Memorial High School, and while Kendrick was becoming a high school phenom, she was the steady presence by his side. When he got drafted straight out of high school at 18, she didn't just stay behind. She went with him to the cold winters of Boston, basically growing up alongside him in the public eye.
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More Than Just "Big Perk's" Wife
It’s easy to get labeled as just a "basketball wife," but Vanity has spent the last few years carving out a distinct identity as an entrepreneur. She’s not someone who just sits courtside and looks good—though she definitely does that, too.
She has navigated the chaos of the NBA lifestyle, which is way more stressful than the Instagram photos make it look. Think about it: Kendrick played for the Celtics, the Thunder, the Cavaliers, and the Pelicans. Every time he got traded, Vanity had to pack up their entire life and move.
The Business Hustle
Vanity actually tried to start businesses while Kendrick was playing, but the "trade life" made it nearly impossible. She once opened a store in Oklahoma, only for Kendrick to get traded shortly after. It's hard to run a physical business when your zip code changes every eighteen months.
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Now that they are settled back in Texas, she’s been able to actually build her own things. Her ventures include:
- Vanity Forever: An online boutique specializing in hair and accessories.
- WinknLink: A dating app she launched in 2021 designed to help people connect.
- Real Estate: She works as a licensed agent with Keller Williams in Texas and has expressed interest in becoming a home builder.
Basically, she’s been grinding just as hard as Kendrick, just in different arenas.
Marriage, Kids, and Staying Sane
The couple officially tied the knot on July 25, 2009. The wedding was held at the Carlton Woods Country Club in Texas, and it was a massive affair. But the real story is their family life. They have four kids: Kendrick Jr., Kenxton, and the twins, Kanter and Zoey.
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If you follow them on social media, you’ve probably seen the videos of Vanity waking Kendrick up with loud music or the kids pranking him while he tries to nap. It feels like a "real" house. They seem to have found a way to balance his massive public persona with a relatively normal home life.
Managing the "TV Version" of Kendrick
One of the most interesting things about their relationship is how Vanity handles Kendrick's career as an analyst. Kendrick is paid to have "hot takes," and sometimes those takes rub people the wrong way. Vanity has admitted in interviews that it took her some time to adjust to the negative comments that come with his job. She’s the one who has to filter their kids' social media and explain that "Dad is just doing his job."
She’s often the "good cop" to Kendrick’s "bad cop." While he’s on TV barking about defensive rotations, she’s at home keeping things positive and grounded.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume that being married to an NBA star is all private jets and easy living. But Vanity has been vocal about the uncertainty. She talked about never feeling "secure" in a city because a trade could happen at any second. That kind of instability can break a relationship, but they’ve been together for over 20 years. That’s a lifetime in "NBA years."
The reality of who is Kendrick Perkins wife is that she is a woman who has been a partner in the truest sense of the word. She was there when he was a teenager with a dream, she was there for the 2008 championship, and she’s there now while he’s becoming one of the most recognizable faces in sports media.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Support Local and Small: If you want to see what Vanity is up to, check out her boutique, Vanity Forever. It’s a great example of an athlete’s spouse building a brand independent of their partner's fame.
- Look Beyond the Screen: Next time you see Kendrick Perkins yelling on First Take, remember there’s a massive support system behind him in Texas keeping the wheels from falling off.
- Follow the Journey: Their story is a reminder that longevity in relationships often comes down to loyalty and the ability to adapt to massive life changes together.